Clasp for garters and the like



April 10, 1962 Y. RENAUD CLASP FOR GARTERS AND THE LIKE Filed July 31, 1959 lNvnv r04 Yves RE NA UD Arron/vars in iv".

I6 20 2/ 24 I2 I! I0 Patented Apr. 10, 1962 3,028,648 CLASP FOR GARTERS AND THE LIKE Yves Renaud, 1184 1st Ave., Quebec, Quebec, Canada Filed July 31, 15959, Ser. No. 830,944 6 Claims. (Cl. 24--245} The present invention relates to improvements in clasps and, more particularly, to clasps for use on personal wea such as, for example, garters and the like.

The general object of the present invention is the provision of an improved clasp which securely fastens fabric in a positive manner whereby said fabric cannot become accidentally disengaged therefrom.

Yet another important object of the present invention is the provision of an improved clasp of the character described which is made of a one-piece synthetic resin which can be manufactured at a minimum cost and which is nevertheless durable and eflicient.

Still another important object of the present invention is the provision of a clasp of the character described more particularly adapted for fastening hosiery, socks and the like and which can be very quickly and easily attached and detached from the fabric.

Still another important object of the present invention is the provision of a clasp of the character described which is reversible, that is, which can be used from either side whereby attachment of the clasp to a garter, or the like, during manufacture, is simplified.

The foregoing and other important objects of the present invention will become more apparent during the following disclosure and by referring to the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the clasp in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the clasp fastened to a piece of fabric;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal section of the same shown in the initial position for fastening a fabric;

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal section of the clasp showing the second position for the fastening operation; and

FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal section showing the fabric fastened to the clasp and taken along line 5-5 of FIG- URE 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate like elements throughout, the clasp is preferably made of a onepiece synthetic resin, such as polyethylene and the like, and has a generally elongated shape with a main opening 12 to define two spaced, slightly converging side members 11 which are integrally connected at one end by a transverse head member 13 provided with a transversely extending elongated slot 14 for attachment of the clasp 10 to a conventional retaining piece 15, made of fabric or the like.

The other ends of the side members 11 are interconnected by an integral transversely extending portion 16 forming the foot end of the clasp 10. The portion 16 has a rounded outline, and similarly the corners of the head member 13 are rounded so that the clasp 10 will not tear or damage fabrics coming in contact therewith.

The head member 13 has 21 depending integral tongue 17 extending longitudinally of the clasp and normally filling the major portion of the main opening 12 formed inthe clasp. The tongue 17 is tapered towards its outer end and said outer end is terminated by two spaced points 19 defining a V-shaped free end. The cross portion 16 is provided at each opposite flat face thereof with a recess 20 of a size and depth to fit the outer end portion of the tongue 17 so that when the latter enters any one of the recesses 20, its outer surface will be substantially flush with the associated side face of the clasp It). This is also effected by the fact that the outer end portions of each recess 10 are shallower than the portion of said recess nearer the head member 13 of the clasp. Thus the partition or web 21 separating the two recesses 20 has a tapered longitudinal section, as clearly shown in FIGURE 3, and the outer end portion of the tongue 17 will lie fiat againstsaid web 21 despite the fact that the tongue 17,

extends at an angle with respect to the general plane containing the clasp, the end portion of said tongue 17 connected to the head member 13 lying in the same plane as said head member.

in accordance with a further characteristic of the present invention, the web 21 is provided with a circular through hole 22 which has a restricted communication 23 with a V-shaped notch 24 made at the free edge 25 of the web 21. When the tongue 17 contacts the web 21, the hole 22 is completely covered by the end portion of said tongue 17.

The tongue 17 is made of flexible material and can be easily bent and pressed through the main opening 12 of the clasp whereby the end portion of the tongue 17 may rest on either side of the web 21. Thus it is seen that the clasp 10 is completely symmetrical in its construction and is reversible, that is, either one of its fiat faces may be used as the external face. I The clasp of the present invention is used as follows: Referring to FIGURE 3, the edge portion of the piece of fabric A is inserted between the main body of the clasp and the outwardly bent tongue 17, care being take? to insert the fabric A a certain distance past the free edge 25 of the web 21. The tongue 17 is then pressed towards the main body of the clasp and in the direction of the arrow B such that it engages the marginal portion of the fabric A; upon further pressing on the tongue, both the fabric and the tongue are passed through the main opening 12 of the clasp frame 10, as clearly shown in FIGURE 4. Thereafter, a slight pulling on the fabric A causes a portion of the fabric to enter the small circular hole 22 through the V-shaped notch 24 and to maintain the end portion of the tongue against the web 21;

the fabric is thus positively fastened to the clasp.

The points 19 at the outer end of the tongue 17 pro vide secure fastening of the fabric and flat application of said fabric over the end portion of the tongue 17. The fact that at least a certain portion of the fabric is engaged in the hole 22 positively prevents loosening of the engagement between the tongue and the fabric above the web 21 due to the frictional engagement of the fabric with the hole 22. Thus the clasp will never become accidentally disengaged from the fabric even when there is no tension on the fabric.

While a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention has been illustrated and described, it is understood that various modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A clasp comprising a rigid frame having a main opening defined by two spaced apart side members and a first and a second cross member, a flexible tongue integrally depending from said first cross member and having a free end portion terminated by two spaced points, said second cross member having a recess therein, a web at the bottom of said recess, said tongue being receivable within said opening with said free end sitting in said recess and against said web in operative position of said clasp, and there being a through hole made through said web having a restricted communication with the free edge of said web bordering on said main opening.

2. A clasp as claimed in claim 1, wherein said web has a surface inclined in the direction of said main opening.

3. A clasp comprising a rigid frame having a main opening defined by two spaced apart side members and by a first and a second cross member, a flexible tongue integrally depending from said first cross member and having a free end portion terminated by two spaced points, said second cross member having two opposite recesses separated by a web, said tongue being receivable within said opening with said free end sitting in either of said recesses and against said web in operative position of said clasp, said web being integral with said second cross member, and there being a through hole extending through said web and having a restricted communication with the free edge thereof.

4. A clasp as claimed in claim 3, wherein said tongue tapers towards its free end and said clasp is further provided with a transverse elongated slot made in said first cross member.

5. Aclasp comprising a one-piece elongated rigid frame member of synthetic resinous material having a main opening made therein, an elongated tapering flexible tongue integrally connected to one cross portion of said elongated frame and extending longitudinally of said frame and having its free outer end terminated by points, the other cross member ofsaid frame being provided with opposite fiat surfaces and with opposite recesses opening onto said fiat surfaces and separated by a common web, either one of said recesses being adapted to receive the free end portion of said tongue, said web having a through hole made therein and said hole having a restricted communication with the free edge of said web bordering on said main opening.

6. A clasp claimed in claim 5, wherein said web has a thickness which decreases towards the free edge thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 391,562 Seibert Oct. 23, 1888 548,235 Smith Oct. 22, 1895 2,021,619 Waterset al Nov. 19, 1935 2,022,925 Sabins Dec. 3, 1935 2,033,854 Signorini Mar. 10, 1936 2,089,378 Ienkin Aug. 10, 1937 2,910,757 Hackl Nov. 3, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 484,758 Great Britain May 10, 1938 949,380 France Feb. 14, 1949 ..4 in AA A 

